Gate of Damascus is the Largest Restaurant in the World

On May 29th 2008, Gate of Damascus (Bawabet Dimashk) become the world's biggest restaurant after it is officially listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The restaurant prides itself on its size as well as the variety of culinary traditions it offers in six separate restaurants: Indian, Chinese, Gulf-Arab, Iranian, Middle Eastern and Syrian.

Bawabet Dimashk has dethroned Bangkok's Mang Gorn Lunag as the world's biggest restaurant with seating for 5,000 people, said Qusay Halasa from the Guinness group.

Located in a Damascus suburb, the restaurant, known as Bawabet Dimashq in Arabic, has been operating since 2002. It has a huge open air area complete with pools, fountains and replicas of archaeological ruins for the summer, and separate themed areas for Chinese and Indian cuisine. During the busy summer months up to 1,800 staff are employed in the 54,000 sq-m dining area and 2,500 sq-m kitchen.

'Representatives for the Guinness group have completed in the past weeks all the tests and checked all the details and services we offer,' Muhanad al-Saman, the restaurant manager and owner, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

For More information in arabic, check the restaurant website at http://www.damascusgaterestaurant.com/